UPDATE JULY 24th, 2015: Techspecs and new video material is released, the bikes are revealed in their definitive shape.
UPDATE May 12th, 2015: Honda has now officially announced the new AFRICA TWIN for 2015.
Scroll down for further information.
From Honda:
True Adventure Prototype
The second prototype on display is the True Adventure Prototype. Inspired by both Honda’s fantastic heritage in adventure motorcycling and our recent Dakar programme, the True Adventure Prototype captures the product direction as Honda seeks to expand its presence in the Adventure segment. This prototype has been developed to deliver outstanding off-road capability, and could provide the basis of a true round-the-world motorcycle. It’s flanked by the current Team HRC CRF450 Rally and, paying respect to Honda’s competition legacy, the 1989 Paris-Dakar winning NXR Africa Twin ridden by Gilles Lalay.
No further technical details or information on either the road going RC213V-S Prototype or True Adventure prototype are available at this time.
Small disks, parallel twin, ugly overall design, uncomfortable seat, small tank ... that's what I think about F800.
Let's see what this new AT is like!
Josep
Josep... it still is a prototype, more or less a mockup of the real production bike. You can't judge it on this first appearances.
For me: this is far more a true successor to the late XL1000V Varadero than the VFR1200X Crosstourer ever will be.
Something to work with, that's at least promising...
Josep... it still is a prototype, more or less a mockup of the real production bike. You can't judge it on this first appearances.
For me: this is far more a true successor to the late XL1000V Varadero than the VFR1200X Crosstourer ever will be.
Prototype?
At first sight, parts like the screen or the tank look like final designs to me...
Don't you think that a clean one
, with trail tyres as only change, will be the official release?
A great looking bike, anyway! Let's see the specs.
Josep
Agree JospeM. A little pity that Honda follow KTM instead of a sitting tourer for longer travels..
Think it will be 1000cc with manual and DCT gearbox; sales from September 2015 ...
It is in my modest opinion nonsense to dislike a concept before anyone of us has seen- or tried the real thing. Wanna have shaft ride? Get a Crosstourer, Super Tenere or GS 1200 and pay apr € 5.000,- more compared with a Varadero-priced bike like Suzuki's DL1000V or Kawa's Versys 1000. In that aspect, the big KTM and especially the Multistrade are HEAVELY overprized. But I have seen nor read a single testrapport on which any of the previous bikes had a bad rating due to the fact that they have chain and sprockets in stead of shaft drive...
If Honda manages to keep the price between € 12.000,- / 13.500,- just looking at the supposed specs, it will be a winner. For sure it makes the overweight and gasgussling VFR1200X Crosstourer to a Dinosaur in one singe stroke.
Looks like a good copy of my Tenere 660 !
If it does come up at that price the decision is simple, Super 10.
I thought we all agreed that it is not supossed to compare vs the CrossTourer.... If we have come to that then it means we are lowering expectations....
Everyone is comparing the Crosstourer with the Varadero over here. And it was Honda who stated that the Crosstourer was the 'spiritual' successor of the Varadero.
The new bike is aimed (price) on the same level as the Varadero was.
We don't lower expectations. The Crosstourer is simply over expectated.
The public 'demanded' an Africa Twin revival. And after 11 years, Honda has answered the expectations with the True Adventure concept. Its a little short minded to think that Honda would give you a goldwing with knobby tires cause it would be more comfy on the long run. Honda offers the (new) 2015 VFR800X Crossrunner and the VFR1200X Crosstourer for that purpose, both different priced.
Must admit that I do like the appearance of the new updated 800 Crossrunner. The bike got more mature, and less motorscooter.
The Super10? That is a good bike. Prices start at € 18.000,- in the Netherlands. Running to € 20.000,- if you wanna have it with a little bit of kit. Yeh, good choice...
If this brand new Honda is on the shell for lets say 14.000,- with a few extra's the decision is simple: the Honda.
In Dutch we have a saying which underlines it perfectly... "Those who fit the shoe, will wear it"
To me it seems that the guys 'n girls at Honda R&D have finally found a fitting shoe. Or two, for that matter.
Pokemi: If you feel addressed as a person by my words, well... for that I am sorry. I have been in the middle of the 'Africa Twin' discussion for the last 15 years it might well be that I am a bit prejudiced, love blinds, that sort of blabla...
Lets wait and see how the real thing is going to be, Gerard. Than - and only than - we can make a proper conclusion how proper 'adventureas' this new bike will be. For the moment, it can have my credits. Even more than my current Varadero.